2008 Outlook

The Memphis Grizzlies put an end to a disappointing season by trading center/power forward Pau Gasol to the Lakers for expiring contracts and draft picks. The young team never really competed, as it seemed to be more concerned with an owner trying to unload as much money from the team as he tried to sell it. The team still has a talented group with the emergence of small forward Rudy Gay in his second year in the league. The future of the team also appears tied to the development of rookie point guard Mike Conley and the consistent play of deep-threat Mike Miller.

Team History

The Grizzlies were one of two teams introduced t the NBA in 1995. Both teams were in Canada, with the Grizzlies playing in Vancouver. The franchises first pick was center Bryant Reeves. The center played well for the first few seasons, but eventually succumbed to a weight problem that hurt his play and left the Grizzlies with a bloated six-year $61.8 million contract. The Grizzlies had high draft picks in the next few drafts and chose players with tremendous potential, such as Shareef Abdur-Rahim, that never lived up to the promise.

The lone successful pick was point guard Mike Bibby, picked in the 1998 draft. The Grizzlies were looking for a fan favorite after the failure to establish themselves in Vancouver, and traded the quality Bibby to the Kings for the entertaining point guard Jason Williams. That same year the club drafted Pau Gasol, a talented Spaniard, at power forward/center. The draft pick and the additions of James Posey and Mike Miller took the team their first playoff appearance.